UNISDR Science and Technology Conference
on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030
Launching UNISDR Science and Technology Partnership and the Science and Technology Road
Map to 2030
To promote and support the availability and application of science and technology to decision-making in
Disaster Risk Reduction
Date: 27-29 January 2016
Venue: Geneva International Conference Centre, Geneva, Switzerland

Practical information
Language: The language of the conference is English. No simultaneous translation will be provided.
Venue
The Conference is held at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG):
Address: 17 rue de Varembe, CH - 1211 Geneve 20, Switzerland.
Opening hours: 07:00 to 19:00 daily
Visit http://www.cicg.ch/en/access-map/

Access to the CICG Conference Centre:
From the airport:
The International Conference Centre Geneva is 5 kilometres away from the international
airport. Access is facilitated by good public transport services, and free bus tickets areavailable from a machine in the airport baggage claim area.
Geneva Public Transport website: www.tpg.ch
Public transport from the international airport. Free bus tickets are available in the baggage
claim area. (bus stop at arrivals level): Bus 5 : Bus stop "Vermont"
Bus 28 : Bus stop "Nations"
Taxis:
Taxis are available at the arrivals level of the airport. They are metered, so costs will vary,
but the journey from the airport into the city centre will usually cost around CHF 30. A taxi
stand is located on avenue de la Paix, next to the Place des Nations and 200m from theconference centre. Taxis are usually available round the clock. The following direct telephone
number will ensure arrival within minutes:+41 22 331 41 33

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Parking:
The Nations Parking lot is accessible from several entry points around the Place des Nations
and is 100 metres from the CICG Conference centre.
Hotels and other accommodation in Geneva
Participants are requested to arrange their own hotel bookings for their stay in Geneva, andshould contact their Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva or Geneva office forassistance, as required. Early booking and accommodation is advised, as other large events
are scheduled to take place in Geneva around the same date.
Hotels can be found on the following websites:
http://www.bnb.ch
http://www.mandint.org/
http://www.geneve-tourisme.ch
http://www.hotel-les-nations.com
http://www.geneve-central.com/liens.asp?id_rubrique=31
http://www.tbh-ge.ch/en/index.html
http://www.booking.com
http://www.ebookers.ch
http://www.lake-geneva-region.ch/en/Accommodation/Hotels (around Geneva's lake)
http://www.tourisme-rolle.ch/net/Net_Otr.asp?NoOFS=8102&Sty=&NumStr=30 (10-50 kmsfrom Geneva)
http://www.lausanne-tourisme.ch/view.asp?DomID=62865&Language=E (60 kms fromGeneva)
http://www.hotel-chavannes.ch/ http://www.citadines.com/ (Ferney-Voltaire Apartments,France)
Visas
Please click on the following link to see if you need a visa to enter Switzerland:
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/content/bfm/en/home/dokumentation/rechtsgrundlagen/weisungen_und_k reisschreiben/visa/liste1_staatsangehoerigkeit.html
Please click on the following link for the list of Swiss embassies and consulates abroad. Please
consult this list in order to know which Embassy or Consulate General is responsible forhandling your visa application in your country of residence. There might be some countries
where there is no Swiss representation. In this case, the visa request might have to be lodged
in another country where the competent representation is located.
http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps.html

2How to obtain a Visa?
By clicking on the link indicated hereafter, you will find all information you might needregarding your visa questions / application for Switzerland, such as:•

List of the residence permits issued by Schengen Member States allowing you to enter
Switzerland without a visa (as long as traveling with a valid travel document).

•Visa application form.

•

List of travel documents entitling the holder to cross the external borders and which
may be endorsed with a visa.

Introduction of the Visa Information System (VIS)The VIS is used to store the biometric data (10 fingerprints and the facial image) of theapplicant applying for a Schengenvisa.http://www.bfm.admin.ch/content/bfm/en/home/themen/einreise/einfuehrung_vis.html
For more information please see:
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/content/bfm/en/home/themen/einreise/merkblatt_einreise.html
1.

If you need a visa to enter Switzerland, it is very important you contact the Swissembassy or consulate responsible for handling your visa application in your country ofresidence. The application procedure can take several weeks and up to two months
reason for which it is essential you lodge your visa application as soon as possible(maximum 3 months prior to departure). As Switzerland is now part of the Schengenarea some persons can travel to other Schengen states but this depends on the type ofvisa issued. We therefore strongly advise all travelers to check their type of visa before
traveling to or transiting through other Schengen states.

2.

You must be a registered conference participant before applying for a visa. No
application will be handled prior to registration.

3.

The Swiss embassy or consulate responsible for handling your visa application in yourcountry of residence can, upon request, provide you with a list of necessary documents
needed for your visa application.

Upon request and when necessary, the UNISDR Secretariat can provide a written confirmationof registration which the registered participants can submit to the respective Swiss
representations.
Government delegates may wish to contact their Permanent Mission to the United Nations inGeneva for assistance. Please send all visa support letter requests to isdr@un.org
Funding
UNISDR is not able to fund participation. Participants are encouraged to seek fund from othersources including for travel and accommodation.

3Badges
Distribution will take place from 15:00 to 18:00 on Tuesday 26/01 and from 8:30 to 9:45 on
Wednesday 27/01. Participants are invited to pick up their badges at their earliest convenience to avoid
delays.
Security
Within UN premises or in premises used for UN conferences such as the CICG (InternationalConference Centre Geneva), security is the responsibility of UNISDR.
Outside these premises, all external security-related issues are the responsibility of the hostcountry, Switzerland.
All arriving heads of state should alert their permanent missions which will take responsibility
for their movements including picking them up at the airport, liaising with airport authorities
regarding VIP protocol, arranging for their transportation, accommodation and all otherrelated support while they remain in Geneva.
The Swiss Permanent Mission in Geneva must be kept informed of the arrival in Switzerland of
all heads of state including dates of arrival which will be passed on to the Swiss by UNISDR on
the basis of confirmed registration and attendance.
Internet and electricityFree wireless Internet access will be available at the CICG conference centre during all
opening hours of the Global Platform conference. One hour of free Internet access is alsoavailable at the Geneva airport.
Electricity in Switzerland is 230 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. Please note that aplug converter will be necessary. See the diagram of the Swiss outlet below.

Contacts
Queries on conference preparations may be made to:
Ms. Connie Brown - Tel: +41 229178908
Ms. Elena Dokhlik - Tel: +41 229178861
Fax: +41 22 733 9531
isdr@un.org

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